Michael Lehmann’s jet black cult comedy ‘Heathers’ makes its debut on 4K UHD this week, courtesy of a jam-packed release from Arrow Video. However, if you already own the Blu-ray edition from this label, I’m sorry to say you aren’t getting much more bang for your buck with this latest release. Restored and repackaged (without a single new special feature) it certainly looks fantastic, but is only really worth upgrading if you are beholden to the latest formats. The film however, remains an absolute cracker.
“Dear Diary, my teen-angst bullshit has a body count,” writes Winona Ryder’s Veronica, as her plan to balance the playing field of her high school’s social hierarchy gets way out of control. A recent recruit into the most popular clique at Westerburg High—a trio of wealthy and beautiful girls called Heather—Veronica has quickly become disenchanted with their cruel and elitist ways, and wants to take them down a peg or two. With the help of her mysterious new boyfriend J.D. (Christian Slater) things get rapidly out of hand, when their plan for revenge turns into a murder spree masked as a spate of teen suicides.
Everything about ‘Heathers’ exists in a state of heightened reality. From Daniel Waters “how very” iconic dialogue, to the grotesque caricatures of the 80s high school eco system we’d become so familiar with from the films of John Hughes. Then there’s the hugely symbolic, colour-coded power-outfits worn by the Heathers, and finally the film’s visual style, which has all of this murder, mayhem, and absent parenting taking place in a kind of Technicolor dreamscape. All hyper-stylish and hazy around the edges.
It remains an hilarious and extremely dark satire, not just of teen movies in general, but of the rotten culture America found itself in at the end of the decade of excess. Viewed again however, through eyes which have lived through the last quarter of a century, ‘Heathers’ takes on new and perhaps even more disturbing notes. For all his sexy, cool swagger, J.D. is the archetypal disaffected high school shooter, we have sadly become so familiar with. The similarities between his look and his actions in the film, lend an uncomfortable parallel with what happened at Columbine a decade later.
Christian Slater and Winona Ryder are both incredible, delivering standout performances that in no small part contribute to the cult status of ‘Heathers’. Channeling a young Jack Nicholson, Slater imbues J.D. with charm and allure, and of course a streak of toxic danger behind that shit-eating grin. Ryder is the true standout however. A whip-smart, angry weirdo, who wants to make the world a better place by burning it to the ground. Amidst all the chaos, she grounds the film with her deadpan wit and self-aware performance.
It’s a great film, and this is unquestionably a great release, but as noted at the top of this review it’s just the same content as the previous Arrow release. Unfortunately, it’s a trend they are becoming all too notorious for. The special features in question, include audio commentary by director Michael Lehmann, producer Denise Di Novi and writer Daniel Waters. Lehmann’s Terms, an interview with director Michael Lehmann. Pizzicato Croquet, composer David Newman and director Michael Lehmann discuss the music of Heathers. How Very: The Art and Design of Heathers, production designer Jon Hutman, art director Kara Lindstrom and director Michael Lehmann discuss the look of ‘Heathers’.
Also on the disc, Casting Westerberg High, casting director Julie Selzer discusses the casting process for ‘Heathers’. Poor Little Heather, an interview with actress Lisanne Falk. Scott and Larry and Dan and Heathers, an interview between screenwriting team Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski (Ed Wood, The People vs Larry Flint), and ‘Heathers’ screenwriter Daniel Waters. The Big Bowie Theory, an appreciation by the writer, actor and comedian John Ross Bowie. Return to Westerberg High, an archival featurette providing further insight into the film’s production. Swatch Dogs and Diet Coke Heads, an archival featurette with the cast and crew featuring Winona Ryder, Christian Slater and writer Daniel Waters. The Beaver Gets a Boner, Michael Lehmann’s student film from 1985 made at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Original trailers, and a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Robert Sammelin.
HEATHERS is available on Limited Edition 4K UHD and ARROW from 5th August.
Cast: Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty Director: Michael Lehmann Writer: Daniel Waters Released By: Arrow Video Certificate: 15 Duration: 103 mins Release Date: 5 August 2024
